DISTANT
METASTASIS - The Trigeminal Nerve

Now viewing: Case 9

Operative findings: there was a large necrotic
tumor involving the deep lobe of the left partoid gland with involvement of the facial
nerve. In the region of the stylomastoid foramen, the tumor mass was firmly around the
main trunk of the facial nerve which could not be dissected off the facial nerve. Left
radical partoidectomy was performed with sacrifice of the the facial nerve. Histopathology
revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left partoid gland and distorted carcinoma
involving facial nerve. Tumor cells were present at the margins of resection, perineural
invasion is also present.

Sagittal, 45mm to the left, post-contrast T1-weighted MR
image (TR 600/TE 11): slight contrast enhancement of the superior portion of the mastoid
segment and the lateral portion of the tympanic segment of the facial nerve is well shown
(arrows).

Axial post-contrast T1-weighted
MR image (TR 600/TE 30) at the level of the cavernous sinus: the right gasserian ganglion
is enlarged with high signal intensity
(arrow). The left gasserian ganglion is normal in appearance.